The popular Sobey’s Plaza may soon be turned into six high-rise condos.
A proposal to convert the sprawling site of the outdoor Sobey’s plaza at 125 The Queensway to build six high-rise condo towers ranging from 40 to 45 storeys is being appealed.
The popular mall includes a Sobey’s store, LCBO, Pier One Imports, Tim Hortons, Shoppers Drug Mart, TD Bank, Booster Juice Holdings Inc., Pizza Pizza, Pet Valu Canada, Netprint & Ship Inc., Subway, Rogers Communications, First Choice and other stores.
The plaza is located on a busy roadway, east of Park Lawn Road on The Queensway.
Owners for 125 The Queensway, which is also known as the Sobey’s Plaza, have requested to re-designate the 8.5 acres of land from general employment to mixed use areas to permit residential uses.
The popular plaza has a number of large major chains and developers want it zoned as mixed use residential rather than for employment.
The plaza is next door to the Ontario Food Terminal, which with the City’s Planning and Housing Committee, have opposed the move.
Cushman and Wakefield Asset Services, lawyers who represent 125 The Queensway, in a letter to the Committee last May said the centre will consist of a mid-rise building at the northwest corner of property, with six high-rise towers ranging from 40-storeys to 45-storeys further east.
“At least 10 per cent of the residential units to be secured as affordable rental units and a new public park of approximately 4,316 meters” will be built, the Committee was told.
Cushman and Wakefield said a minimum of 10,633 square metres of retail and office space will be created that will generate 795 jobs.
Residents said the 8.5 acre property will be filled with condos as above just like Humber Bay Shores.
The firm asked Council to approve their request for mixed-use residential rather than employment area.
They said the site is “well-served by transit,” and is 400 metres of a planned Park Lawn Go Station.
The law firm said the property would be ‘revitalized and reinvigorated through redevelopment into a vibrant, transit-oriented development.
Ontario Food Terminal Board Chair Christy McMullen in a letter urged the Committee to reject the proposed conversion.
This is what the Sobey’s Plaza may look like if the proposal is approved by City Council.
McMullen said the terminal is an economic generator for the city and province, distributing over 2.1 billion pounds of produce annually, or an average of 5.7 million pounds per day with a value of over $2 billion in sales.
She said the terminal is depended upon by the Vegetable Growers Association, with 3,500 members, the Toronto Wholesale Produce Association which represent 21 terminal tenants, the Toronto Farmers Association with 400 tenants and 40 office tenants, that all oppose the conversion.
They said increased vehicle and pedestrian traffic will bring complaints by residents about the facility, such as the 24 hours a day / 7-days a week operation, noise, lighting, smell and security issues.
“The Ontario Food Terminal Board recognizes that there is the need for more housing in Toronto, but we also know that Torontonians need places of employment in Toronto,” she said.
She said the terminal relies on the continued existence of employment lands in South Etobicoke for the use by produce wholesalers, food service providers and other businesses that support the facility.
The Sobey’s is one of a few grocery stores in the area and the community lament its possible loss.
Former Councillor Mark Grimes said city staff have identified a long list of issues with the conversion request, including the proximity to the Humber Wastewater Treatment Plant, which staff noted would likely cause an odour from the plant.
He said 10,000 people work at the terminal and the added buildings will lead to more intensification of the Humber Bay Shores area.
The Committee rejected the proposal citing the lands are near the Humber Wastewater Treatment Plant and will likely cause an odour, compatibility with the food terminal, will cause noise, vibration, and emissions including dust and odour and remove a large property from employment use.